Role-playing games, or RPGs, are renowned for their ability to immerse players in expansive worlds with compelling stories full of action, adventure, and escapism. The seventh generation Xbox 360 console played host to a particularly rich selection of RPGs across a variety of sub-genres, featuring unforgettable characters, innovative progression systems, epic exploration, and memorable worlds.
So what exactly makes a great RPG? Typically RPGs excel in areas like world building, storytelling, player choice, customization systems, and progression. Strong RPGs place the player firmly in the role of the hero (or villain) and make them feel empowered to leave their mark on the world through their decisions and playstyle. The best Xbox 360 RPGs delivered on these fronts and pushed the genre forward.
Xbox 360 offered RPG fans a plethora of incredible works to enjoy – from sprawling open world adventures to emotional character driven stories. I‘ve narrowed down the absolute best of these to an elite top ten list covering a range of RPG sub-genres. So whether you prefer hacking and slashing beasts, political intrigue, post-apocalyptic survival against mutants, or embarking on an epic quest to save the world, this collection has something special for you.
Let’s dive deeper into the 10 RPG masterpieces no Xbox 360 owner should miss.
#10. Bastion
Metacritic Score: 86
Release Date: 2011
Developer: Supergiant Games
Kicking off the list is the sleeper indie hit Bastion from Supergiant Games. This action RPG wowed critics with its tightly focused experience packing satisfying combat, clever level design, and an evocative original fantasy setting.
Players take on the role of The Kid as he navigates floating environs hacking away at enemies with an arsenal of weapons in an effort to set things right in the wake of an apocalyptic Calamity. Along the way the rich narration dynamically describes the player’s every move culminating in an intimate gaming experience.
Bastion sets itself apart via this immersive reactive narration system and tight feedback loop rewarding combat. The hand-painted artistic style also mesmerizes. While smaller in scale than most RPGs on this list, Bastion delivers everything fans want from the genre in a compact powerful package earning its revered status.
Key Features:
- Action-oriented hack and slash combat
- Beautiful hand-drawn artistic visuals
- Responsive narration system reacts to player choices
- 30+ Cores modify weapons providing replay value
- Secret areas and items reward exploration
#9. Dragon Age: Origins
Metacritic Score: 86
Release Date: 2009
Developer: BioWare
When it comes to narrative-driven RPGs, few developers can compete with BioWare. Dragon Age: Origins represents one of their finest works in the genre coming off the heels of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and Mass Effect. Players experience an epic dark fantasy realm through the lens of diverse origin stories, defining their hero‘s perspective on this rich world.
As either a human noble, city elf, dwarf commoner, mage, or Dalish elf you are thrust towards an encounter with your destiny as a legendary Grey Warden trying to defend the world from demonic forces. With pause-able real time combat, players can strategize a balanced party composition capable of dealing with any threat. Multiple endings and difficult decisions place story outcomes firmly in the players hands.
Key Features:
- 6 unique origin stories for replayability
- Tactical combat system allowing ability combos
- Party member approval/disapproval based on choices
- Deep character customization options
- Dark fantasy tone with political intrigue
#8. Diablo III
Metacritic Score: 87
Release Date: 2013
Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
The iconic Diablo series hardly needs an introduction. Blizzard‘s hack and slash loot collecting formula has enraptured gamers for over 20 years culminating in Diablo III – a bigger bolder entry upping the ante in every way. Players select between five distinct character classes with unique attacks and abilities used to mow down hordes of demonic denizens across four foreboding acts.
The true joy lies in mastering legendary skill combinations and acquiring epic weapons + armor sets empowering your hero build. Everything from menacing mushroom like Fallen to the Lord of Terror himself stands in your way. Online co-op integration means you can always call a friend for backup when things get dicey on higher difficulties.
Key Features:
- 5 Unique character classes like Demon Hunter and Crusader
- Randomized dungeons and loot drops
- Bonus endgame modes unlock at level 60
- Seamless online co-op drop in/out
- Rewarding strategic skill combos slaying demons
#7. The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings
Metacritic Score: 88
Release Date: 2012
Developer: CD Projekt Red
CD Projekt Red established themselves firmly as RPG visionaries thanks to their uncanny ability to adapt The Witcher book series into blockbuster video game form. The Witcher 2 represents a major graphical leap forward with a dark fantasy narrative full of consequential choices placing Geralt of Rivia in a principled quest driven by revenge.
As Geralt embarks on a manhunt for Letho the kingslayer we‘re treated to grand vistas paired with demanding combat requiring proper timing and resource management to survive. With two completely distinct branching story paths, choices resonate heavily right through to the multiple endings providing almost unrivaled replay value.
Key Features:
- 36 distinct ending combinations
- Streamlined crafting/alchemy systems
- Unforgiving quick-time event based combat
- Stunning graphics pushing hardware to its limit
- 2 completely distinct story arcs altering quests/levels
#6. Fable II
Metacritic Score: 89
Release Date: 2008
Developer: Lionhead Studios
The aptly named Lionhead Studios demonstrates their adeptness at realizing quintessential English fairy-tale-esque worlds brimming with atmosphere and cheeky humor in Fable II. As a young street urchin players experience an epic hero‘s journey across the realm of Albion on a quest to combat the evil machinations of Logan alongside the Hero of Skill.
Fable II chiefly stands out for its pioneering morality system tracking every little decision ranging from rising property mogul to benevolent savior of humanity. Witness in real time how the people of Albion react to your actions altering their perceptions and your appearance. Dominate towns economically ruling as a despot or loved leader.
Key Features:
- Innovative dynamic morality system
- Quirky British humor and stylistic aesthetic
- Dog companion fights alongside you
- Engaging good vs evil hero‘s journey narrative
- Diverse spell, ranged and melee combat options
#5. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Metacritic Score: 92
Release Date: 2007
Developer: Konami
This iconic gothic platformer Castlevania title shifted gears away from its traditional roots adding deep RPG mechanics and exploration elements resulting in the birth of the "Metroidvania" genre. Players assume the role of Dracula‘s estranged dhampir son Alucard exploring a visually impressive inverted castle solving puzzles and slaying mythological beasts.
Despite lighter story elements focusing chiefly on brooding atmosphere, Symphony of the Night still delivers onboarding drama as Alucard seeks to foil a dark resurrection ritual carried out by the enemy minion Richter Belmont. Leveling up weapons/abilities and backtracking newly unlocked areas makes for addicting gameplay perfected in one of the Xbox 360‘s first downloadable digital releases.
Key Features:
- Haunting gothic pixel art style visuals
- Platforming/Combat mixed with RPG leveling mechanics establishing the "Metroidvania" genre
- 200% map completion for true endings
- Legendary soundtrack composed by Michiru Yamane
- Deep weapon and spell variety
#4. Dark Souls II
Metacritic Score: 91
Release Date: 2014
Developer: FromSoftware
The Souls series cement themselves as gaming’s ultimate badge of honor thanks to their legendarily steep difficulty curve and obscurant item/quest systems demanding supreme dedication to overcome. Dark Souls II marked the Xbox 360 debut fully realizing twisted medieval dark fantasy realms enriched with visual splendor thanks to a new engine.
Players assume the role of an accursed Undead knight traversing the vacant kingdom Drangleic slaying abominations aiming to collect souls strong enough to end this curse of undeath. Challenging combat and environments force you to proceed carefully, managing limited healing resources, stamina, and weapon durability to stand a chance against imposing horrors guarding required items.
Key Features:
- Treacherous world demanding finely tuned skill/stat balance
- Revamped graphics engine and lighting effects
- Customizable playstyles augmented by gear
- New Game Plus feature with remixed enemy placements
- Covenant PvP system enables invading other player worlds
#3. Fallout 3
Metacritic Score: 93
Release Date: 2008
Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
Bethesda Softworks revolutionized non-linear open world first person RPGs introducing unrivaled freedom to explore fully realized post-apocalyptic environments with their revered Fallout franchise. Fallout 3 constitutes a breathtaking evolution over previous titles with sprawling urban ruins, eerie subway tunnels, and shanty towns reclaimed by citizens struggling to survive against murderous mutants and scavenger gangs.
The Capital Wasteland amazes thanks to its sheer scale and density packed with hidden stories that percolate the more locations you uncover dotted across the map. Hundreds of collectibles like the inventor Bobblehead series and unique firearms like the Fat Man mini nuke launcher make wandering this retro-futuristic hellscape an absolute joy for discovery driven players.
Key Features:
- Massive open world Washington DC ruins brimming with secrets
- Hundreds of collectible Bobbleheads/unique weapons
- Flexible character builds mixing combat/conversation/stealth
- 50+ hours of quests including moral branching decisions
- Iconic absurd post-apocalyptic dark humor
#2. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Metacritic Score: 96
Release Date: 2011
Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
Skyrim represents the crowning evolution of Bethesda’s open world Elder Scrolls RPG formula introducing truly staggering scale across its frosty mountainous medieval fantasy provinces. As the Dragonborn players exercise their unique gifts to absorb Dragon souls and language on a journey to develop shouts manipulating time, weather, and matter itself against apocalyptic forces.
With cities as large as whole levels from comparable RPGs, over 300 locations litter Skyrim’s map ranging from Dwemer mechanical ruins to towering imposing keeps. Side activities like reading lore books to level skills, enfranchising houses via helping citizens, or hunting wildlife for crafting materials make this world astonishingly alive. Skyrim empowers total freedom to ignore the main quest for hundreds of hours thanks to limitless environmental storytelling possibilities and randomly generated quests pushing this title into all-time classic status.
Key Features:
- Massive open world filled with bespoke dungeons/landmarks
- Dynamic weather seasons impacting exploration
- Over 300 unique scripted side questchains to join
- Customizable magic/melee builds with crafting/enchantments
- Realistic daily routine systems for NPCs
#1. Mass Effect 2
Metacritic Score: 96
Release Date: 2010
Developer: BioWare
BioWare’s space opera trilogy concludes Shepard’s heart wrenching suicide mission against ominous Lovecraftian alien Reapers threatening all advanced organic life with pure roleplaying excellence. Focused world design trimming excessive driving maps from the first entry make Mass Effect 2 the most emotionally compelling and playable entry. With refined third person shooting mechanics and more impactful ability combos to mix into the fluid combat, Shepard feels stronger than ever annihilating foes.
Full character importer support means choices carry over across the series culminating in heavy sacrifices during an unforgettable final mission testing the limits of your customized squad and ship upgrades in the ultimate test. The slower burn character focus reconnecting with past crew mates pays off as players build an elite team ready to embark on this likely one way journey into the unknown for any hope of survival.
Key Features:
- Suicide mission tests squad combat capabilities to their limit
- Space opera narrative with incredible alien visual design
- Refined third person run/gun mechanics
- Old saves carry decisions across all 3 games
- Excellent mix of companion character development and planetary exploration side quests
The Xbox 360 console blessed gamers with an onslaught of revolutionary RPGs cementing it as the definitive era for western roleplaying games. These 10 absolute best RPGs showcase the remarkable breadth of experiences possible from emotionally stirring personal tales to participating in world altering events across unbelievably reactive fantasy realms or post-apocalyptic wastelands.
With many sub-genres covered here, everyone can find an RPG sure to capture their imagination. I‘d recommend starting with The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim if you crave an endless stream of adventures across picturesque environments filled with surprises or Mass Effect 2 to experience what many consider the greatest sci-fi story ever told. For fans who prefer thoughtful slower paced play, dive into Dragon Age Origins and its branching choices driving unique playthroughs. Seek out Dark Souls II prepared for the ultimate hardcore action challenge or jump into Diablo III if loot collecting gameplay loops entice you most.
Whatever your preference, Xbox 360 houses some truly transcendent RPG masterpieces that stand the test of time as the pinnacle of western roleplaying design. I hope evaluating the absolute best from last gen inspires everyone to revisit these worlds or maybe venture into them for the first time. The hundreds of hours of treasured adventures waiting inside remain every bit as magical today. Let me know your thoughts on your favorite Xbox 360 RPGs of all time!
